Washing for Scott Wright

By
Jillian Marshall

July 10, 2014Updated Jul 10, 2014 at 7:18 PM EDT

Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Scott Wright Jr. graduated high school less than two weeks ago. On Thursday, students held a car wash to raise money for his memorial fund and to clean up more than just cars.

19-year-old Wright died in the hospital early Monday, after being shot in the stomach Friday night at Town and Country apartments.

"He was a funny guy. He always liked to joke around, be around his friends," said Binghamton High School 2014 graduate Junior Time.

Cars rolled into the Auto Zone parking lot on Main Street to be sprayed and scrubbed by Binghamton students, as well as Wright's friends.

The Liberty Partnership Program hosted the wash and charged $5 per wash.

Almost $2,000 was raised throughout the day, and all of it went to the Scott Wright Jr. Memorial Fund to help the family pay for funeral services.

"We all just want to come together and be there for each other and support, and we are all really a community," said coordinator of the Liberty Partnership Program Autumn Loke.

While the recent high school graduates and current students haven't finished mourning the loss of their friend, they're hoping a little bit of water, soap and determination can help clean up the violence in their community.

Liberty Partnership is kicking off a 'Stop the Violence' campaign, prompted by the loss of Wright.

"There's been so many shootings and killings and losing people, it's just like we really want to speak up and tell the world to just stop," said BHS 2014 graduate Deshae Schuford.

Calling hours for Wright are scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday at the First Assembly of God church on Washington Street in Binghamton. The funeral follows at noon.

To donate to the Scott Wright Jr. Memorial fund, go to any Visions Federal Credit Union and mention the fund's name.

The Liberty Partnership Program is sponsored by the New York State Department of Education dropout prevention initiative.